The opening of two medical marijuana businesses dominated the White Center Business District Mixer on Wednesday April 20 at 3.14 Bakery, 9602 16th Ave s.w.

The owners of the G.A.M.E Collective, Brionne Corbray, and Herban Legend, Chris Cody came to introduce themselves to local business owners and answer questions. The businesses, while they center on the same controversial product are very different. G.A.M.E. Collective will open on May 1, as a kind of lounge complete with food (though no alcohol) and live jazz on the weekends at 9806 16th s.w. Herban Legend will open on May 4 as a dispensary of the type now found elsewhere in Seattle.

Both businesses will require a medical marijuana card for entry.

Corbray, who owns and operates three dispensaries in the Seattle area patterned the White Center location after one in Portland, Oregon and said he will not have 'employees' but rather "volunteers" and will operate as a "non-profit because that's what the authorities told me I had to do." Whether or not he will pay those working there drew questions about paying unemployment and withholding taxes. Corbray declined to answer the question.

Cody, who described himself as a "carpenter by trade and a general contractor" has been busy remodeling the space at 9619 16th s.w. (the former EZ Aquarium space) and will operate it as a dispensary. He described it as having "three sections inside."

Security was on the minds of those in the room and Corbray said he would have an armed guard at the door. One of his dispensaries in West Seattle was recently robbed "but we caught the guy" Corbray said. Cody said he planned to have security measures in place but with "non-lethal means" to prevent crime.

The West Seattle Herald will publish a more complete look at these businesses soon, with a look at the current state of the legislation that affects this now burgeoning industry in our state.

Also discussed at the mixer led by Nhan Nguyen
Neighborhood Revitalization Program Manager were:

The upcoming White Center Spring Clean Event May 14, which last year drew more than 400 volunteers that completed 20 projects around the community. Registration is currently open online through the Spring Clean site or in person. Volunteers will receive a free “I heart White Center” t-shirt, breakfast, lunch and and enjoy some entertainment.

The WCCDA is helping local businesses with social media marketing which means they provide assistance in setting up a business Facebook account.
They are working at the pace of about 5-6 businesses every three months. Anyone who would like to receive this assistance is urged to contact the WCCDA.

Now available from the WCCDA is a Business Resource Guide: a brochure to assist existing and new businesses finding relevant resources from governmental and private agencies. It has been printed and will be available online through the WCCDA site.

The Shopper Incentive Card which they call "a guide to find discounts and good deals in White Center," will soon be available as well.

Nguyen touched on the grant that has now been written for the Facade Improvement program to help replace doors, windows, awnings and signage for local businesses. In past years the program was funded by Chase Bank.
ocial Media Marketing: the CDA is currently helping business owners
in WC to create business Facebook at the pace of about 5-6 businesses
every three months. Anyone who would like to receive this assistance,
please let us know.

The Street Banners project, north Roxbury is done and south of Roxbury
stretching along the main street of 16th, 17th, 15th and 14th will be
done this or next week - this is part of the WCCDA's effort to promote the
"Growing a Global Village" brand.

Stephanie Albaeck of Proletariat Pizza reported on her great work,
with support from the community, on getting a bike rack installed by KC
DOT in White Center. DOT said if there is more demand, they will
install more. The mixer attendees said they support her efforts to make the area alternative transportation-friendly.

Kathi Wheeler of Noise without Sound showed off the final designs for the local produce promotion (click the photo above to see it) which were designed to be similar to and consistent with her earlier efforts for White Center itself; a series of multi-colored circles but in this case with fruits and vegetables overlayed.

New businesses had a place in the mixer discussion too.
The recent re-opening of the South Gate Roller Rink was mentioned. Owners John and Erin Venable spoke briefly about their upcoming plans, including a Roller Derby event on April 30 and thanked the community for their show of support noting that "skating is cool again."

Nguyen mentioned the upcoming opening of Zippy’s Giant Burgers on April 25 and noted the opening of the VN Market and Trading Company, LLC a new food store on 16th Ave. s.w.